Job shop manufacturing: All you need to know

Job shop manufacturing in a production

Learn about what this type of manufacturing process is and how growing manufacturers can make use of it

A manufacturing process is a method that a business will follow to make its products. It might involve repetitive manufacturing, a continuous stream of production, or batch manufacturing. Across the manufacturing industry, we can find five types of manufacturing processes. These techniques are all different, and they have unique benefits when used properly. Depending on the materials that a business handles and the products it makes, one manufacturing process will be optimal among the five. Repetitive manufacturing, Discrete manufacturing, Job shop manufacturing, Continuous process manufacturing and Batch process manufacturing.

What is job shop manufacturing?

When talking about Job Shops, we should highlight the fact that we find them widely within the manufacturing industry. The reason for that is that they can achieve optimal flexibility as they are able to manufacture a wide variety of products with small lot sizes. Jobs shops make up a process that utilizes tools, machines and facilities that have similarities in function or performance. These type of processes are characterized by workstations, specific workflows, job prioritization and information attached to the job.

Manufacturers use workstations to perform different tasks during a manufacturing process. As mentioned before, a job shop is a manufacturing process that caters for small amounts of make-to-order items. Think about small fabrication orders, custom designed products and repairs, as well as maintenance jobs. And if you are wondering about what kind of companies would benefit from using the job shop manufacturing method, we have a few in mind. They are factories that create customized products in small batches and offer customization. Such businesses may include  a paint shop, a printing shop, or a machine tool shop. The job shop process in operation management is firring for such businesses (See more here: https://epoptia.com/manufacturing-industries/).

What are the benefits of job shop manufacturing?

At this point, we can stress that a job shop manufacturing process obviously carries a great deal of advantages for certain type of manufacturing companies.

  1. Product design customization. Customers can personalize their order and be part of the process in making the items unique.
  2. Greater flexibility. That is, the machines are not specifically dedicated to producing only one given product and thanks to that a great variety and mix of products can be manufactured.
  3. More efficient use of resources. By focusing on each product, we can ensure efficient use of resources to fulfil orders using Just-In-Time manufacturing procedures.
  4. Optimal supervision. In job shop manufacturing, we group machines by departments based on their function. Thus, the supervisors assigned to each department become more effective since they have more valuable and specialized knowledge to ensure productive days.
  5. Better use of machines. When using the job shop manufacturing process, we use each machine to its full potential. This results in lower investment in machinery since there is less need for machines.
  6. Highly skilled operators. Since we group machines by departments, each operator can focus their attention on one machine and as a result master this particular department. This increases manufacturing efficiency and activity in each department.

What are the disadvantages of job shop manufacturing?

Nonetheless, there are always disadvantages to take into consideration when deciding whether to opt for a job shop manufacturing process or not.

  1. High handling cost for materials. If one machine is not ready to take on a job or the machine worker is unavailable at the moment, operators need to transfer materials and this can cause confusion and be costly as well.
  2. High production lead time. In a batch, operators must complete all parts before the items can move on the next production stage. Think about the case when one part is left behind on production. Then, the whole batch will be set back and that will lead to high production lead time and low production rates.
  3. High production cost. The production cost in a job shop manufacturing process is high due to the high cost it takes to manage materials and transport parts from one department to another.
  4. Difficult to organize. Items go through different processes and as a result it can be challenging to organize your production flow. Some orders may be simple, others may bear a large bill of materials (BOM) and that raises the resources cost.
  5. Distance in material flow. In said manufacturing process, the flow of materials is high because parts are constantly being transported and they require movement throughout the whole shop before operation is complete.

Conclusion

Although adopting a job shop manufacturing process might appear intimidating, there are always ways to mitigate and counteract these risks. Employing a Manufacturing Execution System (MES), for once, can greatly help towards this direction. With a cloud manufacturing software, like Epoptia MES, you can take your business to the next level!

Is Job Shop Manufacturing something your business has adopted? Or are you even thinking about opting for this manufacturing method and are in need of guidance? For more information, check https://bit.ly/3vYnb4f.

Share This Post

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Get updates and stay connected

More To Explore

How to Use Data to Improve
Tips

How to Use Data to Improve Your Manufacturing Process

Explore the ways in which you can use data to improve the processes in your manufacturing business In today’s fiercely competitive manufacturing landscape, utilizing data to enhance your processes is more crucial than ever. This is especially pertinent for job

Read More »
Overcoming Resistance to Change in Manufacturing
Tips

Overcoming Resistance to Change in Manufacturing Environments

Learn how you can overcome resistance to change in your traditional manufacturing environment and take your industry to the digital era In today’s rapidly evolving manufacturing landscape, embracing change is essential for staying competitive and achieving sustainable growth. However, traditional

Read More »
Why Leading Manufacturers Choose Epoptia
Tips

Why Leading Manufacturers Choose Epoptia MES

Learn about the reasons why leading manufacturing groups choose Epoptia MES In today’s fast-paced and competitive manufacturing landscape, leading manufacturers are continuously seeking ways to enhance operational efficiency, improve productivity, and stay ahead of the competition. These industry leaders are

Read More »
push vs pull system
Tips

Push vs Pull System in Job Shop Manufacturing

Learn about push and pull supply chain management systems in job shop manufacturing In the dynamic landscape of manufacturing management, two prominent approaches stand out: Push System and Pull System. Push systems produce goods based on forecasts of future demand,

Read More »
Traceability in Manufacturing
Tips

Traceability: What is it and How to Achieve it

Learn about traceability and how it can help you transform your manufacturing business In the fast-paced and complex world of manufacturing, ensuring product quality, compliance and supply chain transparency is paramount. This is where traceability comes into play. It is

Read More »
Capacity Planning in Job Shop Manufacturing
Tips

Optimizing Capacity Planning in Job Shop Manufacturing

Learn how you can optimize capacity planning in your job shop manufacturing business In the dynamic world of job shop manufacturing, effective capacity planning plays a crucial role in ensuring smooth operations, meeting customer demands, and maximizing productivity. Manufacturers face

Read More »
Tips

A crucial guide to Production Optimization

Learn about production optimization and unlock the full potential of your manufacturing operations In the fast-paced world of manufacturing a great deal of enterprises often face the challenge of optimizing their production processes to maximize efficiency, reduce costs and stay

Read More »
Calculate Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)
Tips

How to Calculate Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)

Learn about Overall Equipment Effectiveness, a KPI measuring how effectively resources operate in a manufacturing business Ιn the world of manufacturing, optimizing operational efficiency is a key goal for businesses seeking to maximize productivity and profitability. One important metric that

Read More »
Root Cause Analysis in Manufacturing
Tips

A guide to Root Cause Analysis in Manufacturing

Learn about Root Cause Analysis, a process used to identify the underlying causes of problems in manufacturing In the fast-paced and complex world of manufacturing, problems and challenges are inevitable. From production delays to quality issues, these problems can have

Read More »
Root Cause Analysis in Manufacturing
Tips

Eliminating Bottlenecks in Manufacturing

Learn about eliminating bottlenecks and increase the overall efficiency of your manufacturing business Manufacturing is a complex process that involves various stages and processes. From sourcing raw materials to delivering finished products, every step is critical for the success of

Read More »
Eliminating Bottlenecks in Manufacturing
Tips

A Crucial Guide to Bill of Materials (BOM)

Read our guide to Bill of Materials and learn about different types of BOMs, their benefits and what to include in them. A Crucial Guide to Bill of Materials (BOM): If you work in manufacturing, then you are probably familiar

Read More »
Agile Manufacturing
Tips

What Is Agile Manufacturing?

Learn about agile manufacturing, a modern approach to production that enhances product quality and service while reducing costs In today’s fast-paced business environment, manufacturers face numerous challenges that require them to be increasingly agile and responsive to changing market demands.

Read More »
Material Planning Tips and Tools
Tips

Material Planning – Tools & Tips

Learn about material planning, its essential tools and tips to improve efficiency Material Planning is a critical aspect of supply chain management that involves determining the optimal amount of materials required to produce products, the timing of material purchases, and

Read More »
Guide to Capacity Utilization
Tips

A Simple Guide to Capacity Utilization

Learn about capacity utilization and why it is a crucial KPI for manufacturing businesses Capacity utilization is a crucial metric that manufacturing companies should pay close attention to. Essentially, it measures the percentage of production capacity that is currently being

Read More »
en_US